Steam and liquid spray iron



y 18, 1965 F. E, FINLAYSON ETAL 3,183,610

STEAM AND LIQUID SPRAY IRON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1962 Q R, n v A 3 a E A a w i w j 1 17 r J 1W0!!% a 6 0 w\ 0/ 1|T,\ V S s 3% fixi n F w r ,mw\ NN w e A W V m h FA 7 0 m 5 1 A M M 7f gm 7 A m m *m w m m zll l HIE Wwk mm May 18, 1965 F. E. FINLAYSQN ETAL STEAM AND LIQUID SPRAY IRON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, 1962 in vent ans. Hank LT/ /h/ayaam A/f'r'ea 6 Swanson, gfl wtm u L charge passages opening through the soleplate.

United States Patent 3,183,61tl STEAM AND LIQUHD SPRAY HRQN Frank E. Finlayson and Alfred G. Swenson, Ontario,

Calif., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 240,257 8 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) such iron is disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 3,041,- 757, issued July 3, 1962, and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of this invention. While such irons have proven very successful, certain complexities are involved, such as the requirement for a pressure regulator and special valves or controls to permit gradual release of steam pressure from the iron when desired to prevent sudden surges of boiling water.

A primary object of the present invent-ion is to provide a steam and liquid spray iron wherein only a low pressure is maintained Within the iron, except when the steam pressure is increased quickly and briefly to power the liquid sprayer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam and liquid spray iron which requires effectively no pressure build up for steam operation and provides both spray and steam operation in a minimum period of time when starting with cold water in the iron reservoir.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of this invention, an iron is constructed with a reservoir to supply liquid to a steam generator within the iron. The normal steam flow path is through an open steam valve to dis- The steam discharge passages are sufiiciently large and open compared to the steam generation rate so that the iron normally operates at a very low pressure. The iron also includes a manually operable liquid sprayer with steam and water supply tubes. When the spray control is actuated, steam flow through the soleplate is blocked by closure of the steam valve, whereupon all of the steam is diverted to the sprayer to atomize the liquid discharging from the water tube into the spray nozzle.

Further features, objects and advantages will become apparent with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a flatiron embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of a flatiron incorporating another embodiment of this invention and shown partially in section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a bypass pressure relief valve included in the flatiron of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the valve of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the spray assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view in section of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the iron shown embodying this invention typically includes a soleplate 2, secured to a cover 4 and operating 'handle 6. In accordance with conventional practice, soleplate 2 may be cast from a material such as aluminum with an electrical heating element cast into position. This heating element prefer- 'ice ably is of the sheathed type in which the electrical resistance element 8 extends through an outer tubular protective sheath 10, with the heating element separated from the outer sheath by an electrical insulating compound resistant to heat, such as a mass 12 of granulated and compressed magnesium oxide. In the usual manner, the heating element extends in a loop commencing at the rear of the iron along one side to the forward or pointed end of the iron, and then rea-rwardly along the other side. Thus a substantially uniform heat distribution is provided, especially when an aluminum soleplate is employed.

This iron includes means for generating vapor under pressure; and While typically an iron such as this may be used to convert water into steam, obviously other liquids may be employed. While other means are available for generating or supplying steam to the iron, a flash steam generator capable of substantially instantaneous conversion of Water drop by drop into steam is preferred. For this purpose, soleplate 2 is provided with a steam generating cavity 14. Liquid discharged through orifice 16 of valve body 18 is converted into steam on contact with the Walls of cavity 14. The steam so generated is confined and directed over the heated upper surface of the soleplate by means of a cover plate assembly 20 secured to the soleplate by a plurality of fastening devices 2,2. The cover plate assembly 20 may include a cast cover plate 24 extending over steam generating cavity 14- and a substantial portion of the area of the upper surface of the soleplate. Secured to the upper surface of the cover plate 24 is a steam dome 26, preferably formed from a material which is a relatively poor conductor of heat, such as stainless steel. Steam dome 26 is secured to the cover plate in any suitable fashion to provide a vapor tight seal. In the present instance, the steam dome member includes an annular portion 28 adapted to be received and securely positioned between projecting lugs 29 and 3d of the cover plate. A seal 31 is shown positioned beneath the annular portion 28.

As may be seen from the drawings, the steam dome functions additionally to support various components of the iron including valve body 18. Also, the steam dome carries a pressure balancing tube 32 which transmits the pressure from the flash steam generator to the upper portion of a liquid reservoir presently to be described. It is to be understood, of course, that all of the connections to the steam dome are liquid tight, accomplished by brazing, metal spinning or other equally well-known techniques.

This iron is provided with a plurality of steam ports, one of which is shown at 34, opening through the soleplate to the material to be ironed, as is conventional practice in steam iron constructions. Cover plate 24 is provided with ribs 25' to channel steam flow from the steam generator; so that before being exhausted through steam ports 34, the steam is directed, in accordance with this invention, through a normally open discharge valve orifice 38 in a valve seat 36 secured within cover plate 24. Steam generated within cavity 14 is directed upwardly for downward flow through control valve orifice 38 and then is permitted to flow freely through the steam discharge ports 34. Due to the size of the water inlet orifice 16 with respect to the orifice 38 in valve seat 36, steam flows from the generator through the discharge ports 34 with only a low pressure build up while the orifice is open. The reason for allowing any pressure build up at all is to keep the pressure differential between steam and spray operation sufficiently small to prevent possible violent boiling and flooding through the soleplate when switching from spray to steam operation, as will be hereinafter described. This low pressure arrangement provides several advantages which will be subsequently pointed out in greater detail.

The orifice 38 is simply controlled by an elongated cylindrical valve stem 40 positioned within pressure balance tube 32. Valve stem 40 extends through the upper portion of a steam tube 42 and has loosely connectedto its upper end 44 a horizontally extending lever 46 in turn attachedto upwardly extending arm 48 terminating in an external, manually operated, pushbutton control 59 in the front portion of the hollow interior'of handle 6. Since it is desirable that the valve stem 40 be normally in the open position, there is provided a spring 52 surrounding the upper end 44 of the valve stem and compressed between the lever 46 and the upper end of steam tube 42. A suitable seal 54 may be positioned around the valve stem at the junction where the stem passes through the steam tube 42. Thus, it will be appreciated that the spring 52 provides a constant upward bias to the valve stem so that the orifice 38 is normally open. it should be noted that, the lower tip 55 of the valve stem 44 is reduced in size so that it will extend through, the orifice 38 whenever the valve is closed to clean lime and other deposits from the valve body 36.

A liquid supply for iron operation preferably is carried within the iron itself. For this purpose, a liquid reservoir S, appropriately formed of corrosion-resistant metal with sealed joints, is housed within the iron in the space under cover 4 and overlying the soleplate and cover plate assembly. The lower wall of reservoir 58 is provided with an enlarged aperture adapted to receive the upper portion of a steam dome 26 with a sealing gasket 69 being provided at the junction for a fluid-tight connection.

During the operation of the iron as a steam iron, steam generated within cavity 14 may rise upwardly through pressure balance tube 32 which extends above the water line of reservoir 58 so that the same steam pressure exists in theupper portion of the reservoir. However, since valve stem 40 is normally in the open position, there is an open discharge path for the steam through thesoleplate and consequently there is no significant build-up in steam pressure. Under these circumstances with orifice 38 open, very little steam passes through the pressure balance tube 32, and hence the amount of steam condensation into the normally colder water in the reservoir is minimized. Due to this factor, coupled with the fact that no minimum steam pressure is needed to start the steam ing operation, very rapid starting is obtained when the water in the tank is cold.

For maximum utility in various operations, theiron should be operable as a dry iron, as a steam iron, or if desired, as a liquid sprayer. Therefore, means are provided for controlling whether or not steam is generated within the iron. This means comprises an elongated valve stem 62, having a clean-out pin 64 for orifice 16 on the lower end thereof, cooperable with valve body 18 to control liquid flow through orifice 16 from the reservoir to the flash steam generator. The valve stem 62 is guided in its movement by a slotted tubular guide 68 secured to valve body 18. Valve stem 62'is further; guided by the upper wallof filler-.cap 8 2 asihegstern passes through Ihqwalli Adorihedro'd7lip5sitioned within the forward portion of handle 6 connects the upper end of valve stem 62 to a manual control pushbutton 72. Button '72 is provided with a latching shoulder 74 engageable with an interior projection (not shown) on the handle. A compression spring 76 encircling valve stem 62 and positioned within tube 68 tends to force the valve stem to its upper position as shown in FIG. 1, in which position liquid may flow from the reservoir through orifice 16 into the flash steam generator. As shown in the drawings, the upward force of the spring is transmitted to the valve stem by means of a flange sleeve 66 which is crimped on the valve stem. If it is desired to operate the iron as a dry'iron, pushbutton 72 is depressed to engage latch 74 under the handle portion, whereby orifice 16 issealed oh? so that no steam is generated. In addition to guiding the movement of valve stem 62, tube 68 is provided with a plurality of slots 78 through. which liquid may flow.

Slotted tube 68 and the closely spaced turns of spring 76 provide a self-cleaning filter for water entering orifice 16 from the reservoir. This particular self-cleaning screen or filter does not form a part of the present invention, but is disclosed and claimed in application Serial No. 224,990, filed September 20, 1962, now Patent No. 3,161,- 971, issued December 22, 1964, in the name of A. G.

'Swenson, and assigned to General Electric Company, as-

signee ofthe present application.

For filling reservoir 58 withliquid, a fill opening 80 is provided at the front of the iron, arranged so that liquid may be easily introduced when the iron is upended on its heel rest. This liquid inletscommunicates with the reservoir through a filler cap 82 supported on riser 84 both or" which extend upwardly into the hollow front of handle 6. Liouid entering the reservoir, however, must flow through a valve comprising a valve seat aadand a valve disc 88. Normally this liquid fill valve is biased to a closed position by compression spring 76 of the steam control valve. .More specifically, spring 76 urges flanged sleeve as upwardly, and the upper end of sleeve 6-5 is incontact with the lower surface of-valve disc 88. Thus, water may be added to the reservoir when thepushbutton 72 is latched in its lower position.

To spray water on fabric before it is ironed, there is provided a liquid sprayer head or nozzle assembly generally shown at 90, arranged within .the iron'handle and partially extending through an opening withinthe handle. Preferably, the sprayer is directed in a generally downwardly direction so that the fabric being ironed can be dampened without lifting the iron. The spray head as sembly is sealed to steam tube 42 which extends upwardly from reservoir riser 84. it may be seen from FIG. 1 that steam tube 42 is aligned with pressure balance tube 32 sothat tub'e 42' .is in relatively direct communication with the steam generator. Also associated with the spray head assembly is a liquid tube 92 communicating at its lower end with the lower portion or liquid space in the reservoir, and atits upper end with the spray nozzle assembly.

A variety of nozzle spray assemblies maybe employed, the internal detail of one form of suitablearrangement, shown in FIG. 5, includes an outer tube 93 having its lower end attached to steam tube 42 and having an opening or orifice 94 in the upper portion of the tube extendingbeyond the'front'handle. The orifice is closed by a cap 95 slidably mounted on the end of tube 93. The upper end of liquid tube '92 is provided with a diametrical passage 96 which opens into the orifice 94 to provide liquid for the spray. When the cap 95 is slid outwardly from its sealed position against gasket 97, to uncover the orifice, steam flows upwardly in steam'tube 42 through passage 96 and through the orifice 9 onto the surface to be sprayed. As highspeed steam travelsthrough the passage 96 in the upperendofi liquid tube 92',--the aspiration "eifpgtpauses liquid 'to be d'rawn upwardly through the tube into the orifice 94, and to be discharged as afine liquid spray. For further details as to the operation of the sprayer head assembly, referencemay be made to the aforementioned Swenson and Foster Patent No. 3,041,757 which. includes several different embodiments of nozzle assemblies. V 7

It will be appreciated that the sprayer requires a certain amount of steam pressure for proper operation. It has. been previously explained that when the iron is used for steaming through the soleplate, steam discharge orifice 38 is open and that little steam pressure exists within .the iron. To provide the required steam pressure for sprayer operation in accordance with this invention, the steam valve at orifice 38 is manually closed by depression of button 5% to block'the steam discharge, upon which there is an immediate rise in pressure. The downward motion of spray button 58 also raises cap $5 of the spray nozzle Steam then starts to flow through the spray nozzle as water is forced up the tube 92*by the pressure differential between the reservoir and upper end of tube 92 near passage 96.

To obtain a single manual control, means are provided to move valve cap 95 by operating pushbutton 50, which of course, operates valve stem 4t As one arrangement for accomplishing this result, lever 46, which has previously been described as being loosely or pivotally mounted on the upper end of valve stem 40 and having one end secured to arm 48 upon which is mounted pushbutton St), has its opposite end 100 bifurcated or formed as a yoke to slidably engage a pair of pins 101, FIG. 5, extending radially from the lower arm of bracket 102. The lower arm is guided on the lower portion of tube 92, and an upper arm of bracket 102 is secured by suitable means to the outer end of cap 95. Thus, it can be seen that when pushbutton 50 is depressed, valve stem 40 is moved downwardly so that tip 56 enters orifice 38 to close and clean the orifice. The continued downward movement of the pushbutton 50 and arm 48 pivots lever 46 causing valve cap 95 to slide outwardly opening spray orifice 94. The cap may be biased to its closed position by any suitable means such as compression spring 103.

If the spray button 50 is held down for any length of time, steam pressure may build up to an undesirable level if relief means are not provided. Accordingly, a simple over-pressure relief valve is positioned in parallel with steam discharge valve 36 in the steam discharge passage, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The valve may be of the type wherein a ball 104 positioned within a tubular support 165 is pressed against an orifice 106 by a spring 108 having the desired pressure value. Also, if desired, a suitable filter means (not shown) may be positioned over the orifice to protect the valve from deposits which may accumulate within the steam generator.

Another embodiment of the invention including the principal of closing the steam discharge valve while opening valve means to permit spray operation is shown in FIG. 2. Since the majority of components shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 are identical to those shown in FIG. 1, the same numerals will be used for common elements. The basic dilt'erence between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 is that in FIG. 2, steam and water are prevented from entering the spray head assembly until the spray operation is to be commenced. To obtain this arrangement, a disc or plate 110 is positioned across the entry to the steam tube 42. Liquid tube 92 passes through plate 110 with a suitable sealing member 112 biased against the upper surface of the plate 110 by a spring 114 extending between sealing member 112 and the spray nozzle assembly 116. Steam flow into steam tube 42 is controlled by a disc valve 11% mounted on valve stem 48 and positioned by washer 119 and bracket 120 having a bifurcated upper end portion 121 which snaps on a reduced portion of the valve stem. Bracket 120 extends downwardly to a position in alignment with and slightly above a member 122 which fits over the lower end of water tube 92 and carries a sealing pad or cap 124 to serve as a valve over the tube inlet. To obtain proper spray operation, it is essential that steam arrives in the spray nozzle before liquid is forced up tube 92 by the pressure developed when orifice 38 is closed. To accomplish this, the sealing pad and cage are biased in the closed position by compression spring 126 cooperating with fixed member 128 on tube 92. When the valve stem 40 is moved downwardly by means of pushbutton 50 the steam valve 118 will be opened before bracket 120 engages cage 122 to move pad 124 downwardly and permit water to flow through the tube. The details of this construction are shown more clearly in the enlarged view of FIG. 6.

Since the sprayer head assembly or mechanism 116 is sealed from the reservoir except when spraying or adding water to the reservoir, a valve cap is not utilized so that the spray orifice is open at all times. Accordingly, the spray assembly is shown positioned within the front end of the iron with its upper end, which includes the spray orifice, positioned adjacent an aperture 123 through which the spray is directed downwardly onto the fabric to be moistened.

Advantages of the embodiment of FIG. 2 are that having the valve 118 positioned within the entry to the steam tube 42 provides a substantially straight line connection to pushbutton 56 making it very easy to operate and the small spray orifice within the sprayer assembly is protected from the deposits in the water when water is emptied from the iron.

While this invention has been described by reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the invention. It is, therefore, the aim of the appended claims to cover all such variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What we claim is:

1. A steam and liquid spray iron comprising a closed liquid reservoir, a flash steam generator positioned to receive water from said reservoir, a steam discharge passage for freely ducting steam at low pressure from said generator to the ironing surface of said iron, a liquid sprayer including a steam tube in communication with said steam generator and a liquid tube in communication with the liquid in said reservoir with both the steam and the liquid tubes discharging at a common spray orifice, a steam valve for closing said steam discharge passage, normally closed valve means for said liquid sprayer, and a single manually movable external control member for first closing said steam valve to increase steam pressure within said reservoir and then open said liquid sprayer valve means.

2. The iron of claim 1 including a bypass pressure relief valve in said steam discharge passage.

3. In a steam and liquid spray iron, a soleplate having a steam generator formed therein, a close liquid reservoir providing a liquid space and a steam space, means permitting liquid flow from said reservoir to said generator, a pressure balance connection from said generator and into said reservoir above the water level therein, an open steam discharge passage from said generator to the exterior surface of said soleplate to discharge steam at low pressure, a normally open valve positioned within said passage, a liquid spray nozzle assembly including a steam tube in communication with the steam space within said reservoir and a liquid tube in communication with the liquid in said reservoir, a valve normally closing said spray nozzle assembly, and manually operable means for closing said steam discharge valve and for opening said spray nozzle assembly valve sequentially.

4. In a steam and water spray iron, a closed water reservoir, a soleplate including a steam generator, a passage for permitting water to flow from said reservoir into said generator, a metering valve for controlling the flow of water through said passage, an open steam discharge passage from the generator to the ironing surface of said soleplate, a valve for closing off flow of steam through said steam discharge passage and including an elongated valve stem, a steam powered water spray assembly having a steam tube in communication with said steam generator and terminating in a spray orifice and a liquid tube in communication with the liquid in said reservoir, a valve normally closing said spray orifice of the spray assembly, a control lever pivotally mounted on said valve stem having one end engaged with said spray valve, and manually operable means connected to the opposite end of said lever for closing said steam discharge valve and for opening said spray valve.

5. In a dry, steam and liquid spray iron, a soleplate having a cavity in its upper surface forming a flash steam generator, at liquid reservoir including a passage for conducting liquid to the steam generator, a first normally open valve positioned within said passage to control the flow of liquid to the generator, a steam discharge passage for ducting steam from said generator to the ironing surface of the soleplate, a second normally open valve positioned Within said steam discharge passage, a pressure balance tube between said generator and said reservoir above the water level therein, a steam tube in communication with said steam generator by way of said pressure balance connection, said steam tube terminating in a discharge spray orifice, a liquid-tube in communication with the liquid in said reservoir and discharging into said spray orifice, a third valve normally preventing the passage of fluid through the spray orifice, manual means for closing said first valve for dry iron operation, and manual means for closing said second valve and sequentially opening said third valve to convert the iron from steam operation to spray operation.

6. In a steam and liquid spray iron, a closed liquid reservoir, a flash steam generator positioned to receive liquid from said reservoir, an open steam discharge passage for ducting steam from said generator to the ironing surface of said iron at low pressure, a normally open valve positioned within said steam passage operable to block the flow of steam therethrough, a liquid spray mechanism powered by steam from said generator, normally closed valve means controlling the flow of steam and water into said spray mechanismand manually operable means for closing said steam discharge valve and for opening said spray mechanism valve means in sequence.

7. In a steam and liquid spray iron, a closed liquid reservoir, a flash steam generator positioned to receive liquid from said reservoir, a steam discharge passage for ducting steam from said generator to the ironing surface of said iron, a normally open valve within said passage,

a steam tube in communication with said steam generator and terminating in a spray orifice, a liquid tube in communication with the liquid in said reservoir and discharging into said spray orifice, a valve normally closing the inlet to said steam tube to control the operation of a spray mechanism,-a valve normally closing the inlet to said water tube to prevent passage therethrough when the spray mechanism is not in use, and manually operable means for closing said steam discharge valve and for opening said steam tube valve and said water tube valve in sequence.

8. The iron of claim 7 wherein said manually operable means includes an elongated valve stem having one end forming the movable portion of said normally open steam discharge valve, said valve stem being positioned within said steam tube, said steam tube valve including a disc mounted on said valve stem to control the flow of steam into said steam tube,rand means connecting said valve stem to said water tube inlet valve whereby manual movement of said valve stem closes said steam discharge valve and opens said steam tube valve and "subsequently said water tube valve. 1

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,757 10/45 Hoecker 38--77.0 2,802,288 8/57 "Hoecker 3877.0 3,003,266 8/61 Horwitt et al 38-77.0 3,041,757 7/62 Swenson et al. 38 -77.0

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY,Examiner. 

1. A STEAM AND LIQUID SPRAY IRON COMPRISING A CLOSED LIQUID RESERVOIR, A FLASH STEAM GENERATOR POSITIONED TO RECEIVE WATER FROM SAID RESERVOIR, A STEAM DISCHARGE PASSAGE FOR FREELY DUCTING STEAM AT LOW PRESSURE FROM SAID GENERATOR TO THE IRONING SURFACE OF SAID IRON, A LIQUID SPRAYER INCLUDING A STEAM TUBE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID STEAM GENERATOR AND A LIQUID TUBE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE LIQUID IN SAID RESERVOIR WITH BOTH THE STEAM AND THE LIQUID TUBES DISCHARGING AT A COMMON SPRAY ORIFICE, A STEAM VALVE FOR CLOSING SAID STEAM DISCHARGE PASSAGE, NORMALLY CLOSED VALVE MEANS FOR SAID LIQUID SPRAYER, AND A SINGLE MANUALLY MOVABLE EXTERNAL CONTROL MEMBER FOR FIRST CLOSING SAID STEAM VALVE INCREASE STEAM PRESSURE WITHIN SAID RESERVOIR AND THEN OPEN SAID LIQUID SPRAYER VALVE MEANS. 